Rondo admits Mavs the free agency favorite but 'wouldn't say it's closed'

The Dallas Mavericks did not acquire Rajon Rondo from the Boston Celtics with an assurance that the impending unrestricted free agent would resign with the club this summer.

While the Mavericks have expressed confidence in their ability to retain Rondo, the point guard said Thursday that he hasn't given free agency much thought yet. When he gets around to it, there's still thinking to do, even if Dallas does have an obvious edge thanks to the collective bargaining agreement.

As Rondo told Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports:

My focus has been basketball, basketball, basketball, not necessarily being a free agent. I mean obviously I think (the Mavericks will) have the upside (in free agency). I wouldn't say it's wide open (in terms of considering other teams), but I wouldn't say it's closed (solely to the Mavericks) either because obviously they are the team that came and got me and from Day One they've been very loyal and very supportive in this transition for me.
...
My main thing is pretty much showing I'm a winner. I want to win, and that's pretty much what it's all about. Right now in my career, stats don't really matter to me … or leading the league in assists or anything like that. It's all about getting the 'W's - that's what (Mavericks owner) Mark Cuban told me the first day when he came and picked me up on the plane. They just want to win. It starts with Dirk, and trickles down to every guy on the roster. That's been the vibe. That's been the energy.

The Mavericks own Rondo's Bird rights, which means they'll be able to offer him more money in free agency than any other team. That's a major edge, in particular, if Rondo is seeking a maximum contract, something that remains a bit of a question mark.

Dallas may not have made the trade without feeling securely that Rondo would stay, even though they didn't give up a ton in terms of future assets in acquiring him. Like with Rondo's take on Dallas, they may be more willing to open up the checkbook if the fit proves a winning one, something that's looking more like the case on the team's four-game winning streak.

In seven games since landing in Texas, Rondo is averaging 15.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists, shooting 46.6 percent from the field and helping the team play 2.9 points per-100 possessions better when he's on the floor.